DIREK MAC ALEJANDRE’s films “Silip sa Apoy” and “Selina’s Gold”, also his series “Wag Mong Agawin ang Akin”, shocked a lot of viewers not only because of their graphic sex scenes but also because of their liberal and raw use of Tagalog words for sex and private parts that border on the obscene.
How does he feel now that some folks say streaming channels like Vivamax should also be regulated by the MTRCB?
“I’ve never agreed with censorship as I believe in the freedom of expression,” he says.
“I also believe na lahat ng tao sa industry natin, may maturity at kakayahan to self regulate and that people should be allowed to choose and watch the kind of movies that they prefer to watch.”
He says it’s now free for all on the internet and it just cannot be controlled.
“At this time that the internet is easily available to everyone and anything you want to watch is just one click away, how can they expect to control and censor everything on youtube?
"It’s good we have a streaming channel like Vivamax where we filmmakers can do the kind of films we do na hindi puedeng gawin sa mainstream cinema because of censorship.
"At this point, ang gusto ko lang, gumawa ng magagandang pelikula and I’m glad Vivamax gives me the opportunity to do them.”
A lot of people were shocked by the brazen language he used in “Selina’s Gold”, the script of which, he himself wrote.
How does he feel that viewers feel he has pushed the envelope a bit too far?
“The entire film is shocking, specially the twist at the ending which no one expected.
"I wrote the script myself kasi gusto ko talaga yung material and I want it to be as frank and honest as possible.
"My staff said na mas grabe pa ito sa ‘Silip sa Apoy’.
"Ako naman, I just wrote kung ano ang kailangan to achieve my objectives for each scene and for the movie as a whole.”
“Selina’s Gold” is his third collaboration with Angeli Khang. They first did “Silip sa Apoy”, for which Direk Mac won a best director award in Romania.
Then they worked together in the chart-topping series “’Wag Mong Agawin ang Akin.”
And the new movie he is now about to start shooting, with script written by National Artist Ricky Lee, will again star Angeli.
“Angeli has a gift,” he says. “When we first worked together in ‘Silip’, I noticed she trusted me completely and very obedient in whatever I asked her to do.
"She has a heart that’s sensitive to different emotions. And she’s also very open para mas madaling lumabas ang katotohanan sa character niya.”
He says Angeli has quickly become one reliable actress.
“I have seen her growth as an actress in the films and series we did.
"Mas mahirap ang role niya in ‘Selina’s Gold and it is the perfect opportunity for her to show her wide range as an actress.
"Mas malawak ang psychological and emotional range required by her role niya rito.”